Panthenol – provitamin B5

Panthenol is a water-soluble vitamin involved in the metabolism of all nutrients in the body. Its name comes from Greek and means “found everywhere.” It is indeed found in almost every food and is essential for healthy skin. It is a hygroscopic ingredient that effectively binds water and helps optimize skin functions. It helps keep the skin moist and smooth, stimulates the formation of new cells, accelerates healing processes, and has a soothing effect on the skin. It is produced synthetically from pantothenic acid, a natural component of plants, and in the skin it is converted into the active form of vitamin B5 – pantothenic acid, a part of coenzyme A. This bioavailable form allows deep penetration into the skin layers, where it supports regeneration and hydration at the cellular level.

Provitamin B5 improves the regeneration of mature skin by accelerating cell metabolism and stimulating their renewal. It helps maintain skin moisture and has anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and soothing effects. It protects the skin from sunburn. D-panthenol improves the skin's metabolism and nourishment, helps preserve its youthful appearance, and reduces the formation of wrinkles. Its mechanism of action lies in its humectant properties – it binds and locks water in the cells, thereby moisturizing deep into the tissue, preventing trans-epidermal water loss, and strengthening the skin barrier. It stimulates fibroblast proliferation for wound healing, acts anti-inflammatorily against redness caused by UV radiation, and accelerates cell renewal. In cosmetics, it is recommended in a concentration of 0.5 – 10 % for optimal effectiveness without stickiness.

It is recommended for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, flaky, mature, oily, and acne-prone skin. It is non-comedogenic, does not clog pores, leaves no greasy film, and is ideal for irritated skin after shaving, tattooing, sun exposure, or dermatitis. It is suitable for children's cosmetics, after-sun products, shampoos, and serums. It strengthens the barrier in oily skin with redness and hydrates mature skin without increasing wrinkles.

A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science (2011) showed that 5 % panthenol significantly increased skin hydration by 20 % after 4 weeks of application and strengthened the skin barrier, as measured by TEWL (transepidermal water loss), in subjects with dry skin. Further research in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2002) showed that panthenol in a concentration of 2 – 5 % accelerated wound healing by 30 % through stimulation of cell proliferation in patients with superficial injuries.